Cast in Secret

Chronicles of Elantra, Book 3

By: Michelle Sagara

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 14 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

Still avoiding magic whenever possible, Private Kaylin Neya relished investigating a run-of-the-mill theft. Until she found out the mysterious stolen box had been taken from Elani Street, where the mages and charlatans mingled, and it was sometimes hard to tell the difference between the two. And since the box was ancient, without a keyhole, and held tremendous darkness inside, Kaylin knew unknown forces were again playing with her destiny... and her life.

Spellbound? Listen to more Chronicles of Elantra.

©2008 Michelle Sagara (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

I couldnt stop listening !

I am only supposed to allow myself only so much time per nite. I keep breaking my personal rules .I listened to the first half twice because I wanted it to last longer. I didnt expect to enjoy these books as much as I have. The narrator is hipnotic . She has a firm grip on the characters personalities and the voices are consistant and unique per character.I hope you will enjoy this book and the series as much as I have.I can as of late, walk away from the TV to go listen to my books.Michelle Sagaras stories are imaginative and enveloping. On top of that Khristines portrayals are very consistant and enjoyable. Good job team.Thank you .

Doesn't disappoint.

I discovered this series through audible's free novella by Michelle Sagara and even though this isn't my usual genre, I couldn't get enough of the characters and the world that Sagara has built for this series. I believe that Sagara is a master at world-building and character development but the writing shows many signs of being hastily written. Still, she propels the plot forward and does not disappoint the reader on the journey she takes you on. This is not for everyone (particularly those who prefer non-fiction or well-crafted prose as I normally do) but fans of fantasy who enjoy lots of action and who enjoy the free novella, which is like an introduction for the series, will enjoy it immensely. I can't put them down!

Loved it!

First, I just want to say that I love Khristine Hvam as a narrator. I have a hard time believing that all of those voices come from one woman. You can easily hear the difference between characters. The awesomeness of this series is the support characters. The books are written so that you want to know more about the others- the foundlings, Marcus, Nightshade and so on. The story is interesting. I enjoyed that it also kind of teaches a lesson- Kaylin starts to get over one of her prejudices.

uneven but a success

This was the last book I bought from audible in the series. It is not my favorite, though, some sections are simply wonderful. I have all the others and most of them read as a single story. This book has breaks that make a reader jump in and out of a larger story, as if there are short stories in the longer one. I think Sagara is as much artist as she is writer. In this book both aspects of her talent are aparent just not quite cohesive. I suspect the artist creates a chase your own tail kind of read in all her work. There is a problem editing art that obstructs decisions that are more straight forward in story telling. I have a great deal of affection for all the books and characters in this series, but other than this book and the awkward split book the stories have focus. I really like the narrator.

Kaylin Enters the Tha'lani Quarter

What did you love best about Cast in Secret?

We got to explore the Tha'lani people. We get to know the Keeper much better- he is such a mysterious figure that has defined and refined Kaylin. We get to see more of Sanabalis. Kaylin is in her element. Investigating.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love them all. Kaylin is the main character but far from my only favorite in this series. I love the wild uniqueness of each supporting character. I love to hate Nightshade. I love Marcus' rough and tumble love for his adopted kitling. I love Teela (and Tain's) indulgent smugness and love for their little human mascot. I love Sanabalis' inegmatic mentorship of his stubborn student. I love the Hawklord- he is beyond words. I love Clint's love of Kaylin as a true friend and almost little sister. I love Tiamaris' youthful (for an immortal Dragon) enthusiasm and strangely open-mindedness (for an immortal Dragon). I love the crotchety Archon. I love Severn.

What does Khristine Hvam bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Marcus' accent. I never "heard" him as clearly when reading- until I listened to Her Marcus. NOW I hear that Carribean accent even when reading- I love it. I know, Lions don't live in the Carribean. But it fits!! Having lived there, I can just hear that slang-y British drawl coming out of Marcus' mouth.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When she had to take responsibility for the Dragon to enter the Garden.

Really got lost in this one.

Hard to follow the second half of the book. Describing fictitious events that seem to go on forever - forgot where or what Kayla was even doing there.

Great story

I think this is one of my favorite books in this series. I love how Kaylin has to face her fears and grows

The narration helps bring a great book to life.

I definitely recommend

Great book as always

I've read this series multiple times but I enjoy listening while I'm doing stuff where I can't read and this narrator is probably the best one I've ever listened to she does the voices differently so that you almost think it's being done by multiple people. She is very very good at it. This is one of my favorite series so hearing somebody that actually does the voices well is amazing because I don't do that when I'm reading in my head.

Very Exciting Story - Exceptionally Entertaining

This is one of my favorites that I've read so far in this series. I read it years ago and just finished listening to the audiobook for the first time. One of the strengths of this series for me is the richness of the description of interactions between characters. Michelle Sagara does a great job illustrating the interpersonal dynamics between characters in this series, and between that and great voice acting by Khristine Hvam (who really hit her stride in this book), you can read between the lines many different subtleties that create an understanding of the undercurrents of Kaylin's various interactions with her partner, colleagues, friends and teachers. It feels sometimes as if you are standing in the room sensing the mood and tension change along with them. I particularly enjoy the overarching theme of overcoming prejudice in this story, as well as Kaylin's many humorous interactions with the older and wiser role models in her life. In true Kaylin Neya fashion, her precociousness and lack of diplomacy come out in full force in this story and do not disappoint. Fans of this series should be as thrilled as I was listening to it. I started and finished within a few days!

My kind of story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I love this kind of stories in which the main character asks an endless number of questions. I am only on book 3. But, if I may be so bold, I would like to answer one of Kaylin's questions she is forbidden to re-ask the dragon Sanabalis:

Q: [Lord Sabalis] What is your horde?
My answer: Troublesome, yet, very talented students.

What other book might you compare Cast in Secret to and why?

If you like this series, you would probably enjoy the 4 book series Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck.

Which character – as performed by Khristine Hvam – was your favorite?

Kaylin, of course. Bur, I also like the Leontine Sargent.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Be very careful with your questions!

I only wish Audible had the complete series.

Private Kaylin Neya investigates the theft of a magical item, while also carrying on a more personal search for a missing child, against a background of racial tension and a looming threat predicted by the city's seers.

I literally listened to one book after the other of this series and would rate all the books as five star. I love the imagination, imagery and characterization that Michelle Sagara has brought to them. The plot's are always engaging which is helped by the police procedural element of the stories. I've even recommended them to my mother who is reading them on kindle and has also given her seal of approval but the stories are so much better in audio-book. Khristine Hvam really brings the books and characters to life and gives an amazing performance, in my opinion equivalent to that of a group of actors.

Being objective the Chronicles of Elanta isn't likely to appeal as much to male readers. The book is written by a female from the young heroines perspective and her personal use of her power is reserved for midwifery and healing. This is one of the things I loved about the series and only wish there was more fantasy novels targeted at female readers that go beyond the standard romances more readily available. The writing is not perfect and the characters, although described well and brilliantly brought to life by Khristine Hvam, are not completely original. Also the series carries on far past these three books and although you can listen to them and reach a satisfactory conclusion, I have contacted Audible and confirmed that the rest of the Chronicles of Elanta won't be available here.

A Bit disappointing

This is the 3rd book in a series which I had high hopes for on book 1.

This book is OK but that is about all. Its an interesting story but for me there is no development of the characters or their relationships. Some of the scenes are also just too wordy, and Kaylin is getting a bit annoying at times.

The good thing about these books is although they probably need to be read in order, each comes to a good ending so you don't feel an immediate need to download the next as you were left hanging.

Khristine Hvam is flawless as always with the narration.

This is also one of those annoying series where the books are all available in audio format but NOT for Audible UK subscribers with books 4 to 9 only available on the US site.

I haven't decided whether to download the next on Kindle or more to a new series